Author (Your Name)

Eduardo SosaFollow

Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Honors Thesis (Open Access)

Department

Colby College. Mathematics and Statistics Dept.

Advisor(s)

Nora Youngs

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the decoding of cyclic codes. First, we introduce linear and cyclic codes, standard decoding processes, and some standard theorems in coding theory. Then, we will introduce Gr¨obner Bases, and describe their connection to the decoding of cyclic codes. Finally, we go in-depth into how we decode cyclic codes using the key equation, and how a breakthrough by A. Brinton Cooper on decoding BCH codes using Gr¨obner Bases gave rise to the search for a polynomial-time algorithm that could someday decode any cyclic code. We discuss the different approaches taken toward developing such an algorithm and their success in creating a practical decoding process.

Keywords

Gröbner Bases, Cyclic Codes, BCH Codes, Cooper's Philosophy, General Error Locator Polynomials

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